Betting: Bet on Owls to beat the drop

THE midweek draw at Birmingham means Sheffield Wednesday are now six Championship matches without defeat and encouragingly that run has not only seen the Owls climb out of the relegation zone, it has also prompted bet365 to increase their odds for the drop to 3/1.

Bookies aren’t entirely sure whether or not Dave Jones’ men will boost their survival chances this weekend as they welcome Crystal Palace to Hillsborough and indeed some firms can’t separate the two teams. BetVictor however, lean towards the Eagles, installing them as slender 17/10 favourites and it’s 7/4 with Stan James for the Owls to pick up a vital three points.

As little separates the two teams in the odds, punters might be tempted to turn their attentions to a stalemate at 12/5 courtesy of BetVictor and in turn Skybet’s 11/1 chalked against a goalless affair could attract cash.

There’s also Ladbrokes’ 5/1 for both halves to finish all square while Stan James rate Wednesday at 4/5 in the ‘Draw no Bet’ market and bet365 give Jones’ men a goal start in the handicaps at 11/20.

Also in the Championship, rejuvenated Barnsley are huge at 7/4 via Stan James to rack up a seventh straight victory in all competitions as they travel to bottom club Bristol City.

Only two points separate the top six in League One so it’s crucial that Sheffield United in fourth take something from the trip to second-placed Bournemouth. However, it’s the Cherries that are fancied by bookmakers, bet365 pricing the hosts at 13/10 to secure a crucial maximum haul and Skybet chalking the Blades up as 5/2 outsiders.

A point would be a pretty decent return for Danny Wilson’s troops, who are 12/5 via Stan James to grab a share of the spoils and fans tempted by that price might also consider BetVictor’s 13/2 for the clash to finish one-each.

Also at the League One summit, Doncaster are BetVictor’s 11/8 favourites to send Yeovil home empty-handed while in League Two, Chesterfield are 9/5 via Paddy Power to dent the title ambitions of leaders Gillingham.